Page 127 of Positively Pricked
"No. I don't." I wasn't even lying. Oh sure, therehadbeen a few moments when I might've wondered, but now, I saw things clearly for what they were.
Probably, Zane wasalwaysgiving off that vibe.
In hindsight, Maven had probably saved me from a huge mistake, because for a moment there, I'd been almost ready to believe that there was more to Zane than I originally thought.
How stupid wasthat?
When Teddy said nothing in response, I added, "Honest. There's nothing between us."
He gave me a look. It was the same look he'd given me after I'd insisted that there was nothing between me and the professor.
I hated that look. "I'm not lying," I told him.
Right on cue, he gave me the same lookagain. "If you say so."
So much for his earlier apology.
I gave him a look right back. "Idosay so."
"Hey, I'm trying to do you a favor."
Some favor."Thanks. I guess."
He lowered his voice. "And, as long as we're talking, I'd like your help."
I felt my eyes narrow. "Doing what?"
"Just keep an eye out. That's all I ask."
He could ask all he wanted, but I wasn't going to spy for him. And besides, his timing sucked. I said, "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"What?"
"What I told you during the walk over." At his perplexed look, I added, "That my job's probably gone. You do remember that, right?"
"Of course I remember. But you never said why."
"Yeah, because you never asked."
At this, he had the good grace to look chagrinned for like two whole seconds before mumbling, "Well, maybe I didn't want to pry."
Or maybe, he just didn't want to bother.
I don't even know why I was irritated.
I wouldn't have given him the details, anyway. On top of that humiliating scene with Maven, it was beyond embarrassing that I'd told my boss to fuck off.
But it wasn't only embarrassment that was keeping me from sharing all the dirty details. I didn't trust Teddyorhis intentions. And besides, I wasn't one to gossip.
And yet, in spite of that lofty sentiment, I wasn't blind to the fact that I'd just spent an hour listening to someone I barely knew divulge family secrets that were none of my business.
Part of me actually felt ashamed.
Across from me, Teddy was saying, "Yeah, but if you're still around, keep an eye out. That's all I'm asking."
His concern was oh-so-touching. It only confirmed what I'd already begun to suspect – that this dinner had been merely an excuse to run Zane into the groundandrecruit me as a potential spy.
Idiot.
